Gavin McKenna, Toronto Maple Leafs' first overall draft pick, impressed during his first practice with the team on Thursday. Playing alongside veterans John Tavares and William Nylander, McKenna showcased elite playmaking skills, including a backhand pass that beat a tough defenseman. Coach Jim Hiller noted McKenna's ability to maintain puck control in tight spaces, praising his natural hockey strength despite not being one of the largest players.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Toronto Maple Leafs held their first training camp practice on Thursday with new recruit Gavin McKenna, who was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in June after the team won the NHL draft lottery. Despite coach Jim Hiller keeping details under wraps initially, McKenna skated alongside veteran forwards John Tavares and William Nylander for part of the session. During practice, McKenna showcased his skills with a flashy playmaking sequence that resulted in a goal by Tavares and another moment where he managed to outmaneuver big forward Matthew Knies, ending up behind goaltender Anthony Stolarz with only one glove on. The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, previously played college hockey at Penn State and is living with the Tavares family during his rookie season.
Written for “Maple Leafs Training Camp” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna opened his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday on the left side of a forward line with John Tavares and William Nylander — and he didn’t disappoint.
asserted
he → open → Tavares
McKenna at one point found himself in a tight space along the boards against hard-nosed defenseman Chris Tanev.
asserted
McKenna → find → Tanev
“I saw him dance away and just do a nice little backhand sauce pass into space — that jumps out at you,” coach Jim Hiller said.
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Hiller → see → you
“I thought Tanev was going to contain him …
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Tanev → think → him
those are the things that you’re just standing there and you go, ‘OK, well that’s a high level.‘
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that → stand → ?
That’s what he’s going to have to be able to do against veteran NHL defenseman when the real games start.”
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games → ’ → defenseman
McKenna, a Yukon native who played college hockey at Penn State, had some other memorable moments, including the setup on a Tavares goal and a battle sequence against big forward Matthew Knies where the youngster ended up with just one glove — and the puck behind goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
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youngster → play → Stolarz
“The playmaking is elite,” Tavares said of the five-foot-11, 170-pound McKenna.
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Tavares → say → McKenna
“You can already see times when he gets out there and you think he doesn’t have much room … the puck control, the puck skills are off the charts.
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control → see → charts
Even though he’s not the biggest guy, you can tell just how firm he is on his stick.
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he → ’ → stick
He’s got some of that natural hockey strength.”
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He → get → strength
Toronto last season missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade before beating May’s lottery odds for the right to select McKenna, who is living with Tavares and his family.
uncertain
who → miss → Tavares
“It feels good knowing that the (coaching) staff has confidence in me,” McKenna said of his placement on the Tavares line.
asserted
McKenna → feel → line
“Both super smart players, and with John, he’s a workhorse, and with Willie, he’s so skilled.
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he → ’ → Willie
Pucks will find me with those types of players.”
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Pucks → find → players
McKenna said he knows nothing is set in stone one practice into his NHL journey.
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nothing → say → journey
“We have so much talent,” he said.
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he → have → talent
“I’ve got to earn that to stay there.”
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I → get → that
Captain Auston Matthews, coming off a chaotic offseason, endorsed a series of moves by general manager John Chayka, who took over in May.
uncertain
who → come → May
Matthews is coming off surgery to repair a serious knee injury.
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Matthews → come → injury
“I really like what he’s done,” Matthews said.
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Matthews → like → what
Matthews, who has two years left on his contract, added: “My intent was always to be here.”
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intent → have → contract
Hiller, who has a history with Matthews from his time as an assistant in Toronto, said he’s had some good conversations with the star center.
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he → have → center
“I’ve really appreciated where our relationship is today, how it’s grown over the years, and he gives me confidence right now when I speak with him,” he said.
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he → appreciate → him
“But when you talk to your captain and your captain instils confidence in you, then I would say you’re in a pretty good place.”
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you → talk → place
Matthews knows that microscope well as the team looks to rebound from a stunning 30-point drop in the standings.
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team → know → standings
“A frustrating year,” he said.
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he → say → ?
“We’ve had a lot of time to think about it … going into this year feeling as good as possible.
asserted
We → have → year
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